Geografía

Tidbits and Trivia

Ever heard of a volcano rabbit? This rare species is endemic (only found in this particular geographic area) to the slopes of Mexican volcanoes and is currently classified as endangered. It's one of the tiniest rabbits in the world. The dark coloration of it's fur allows it to blend in with volcanic soil, keeping it hidden from potential predators. Take a look!

Other species endemic to Mexico include the great peeping frog, the Guadalupe fur seal, San José Island kangaroo rat!

Learn more about them here...

http://endlesscancun.blogspot.com/2011/06/endemic-species-of-mexico.html

Política

Mexico Considers Junk Food Tax

           

            Mexico's Congress recently passed a measure that would allow higher taxes to be placed on junk food, President Enrique Pena Nieto, who has long been a proponent of the anti-obesity campaign, is expected to sign this measure into law shortly. These taxes, which were first considered when studies indicated that adult obesity in Mexico became more prevalent than in the United States, would impose taxes on foods with high concentrations of saturated fat, sugar, and salt. The revenue generated from these taxes will go health programs and increased access to drinking water for school children. This tax is remarkable in that few other countries have undertaken comparable measures, Denmark is one of the only other countries to impose a tax on "junk food" items. It remains to be seen how the Mexican taxes will be widely received.

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/nov/01/mexico-obesity-taxes-junk-food-sugary-drinks-exercise

Deportes

The FIFA World Cup is fast approaching! Next summer it will be held in Rio de Janiero, Brazil.This is the first time the World Cup has been held in Latin America since 1978. Did you know that almost 50% of the world watches the events of the World Cup? Are you one of them? Learn about the history of the World Cup since its first game in 1930.

World Cup: Then and Now

Soccer is a very important sport in many countries.  It is especially prevalent in countries that are less developed because it is such an inexpensive sport to play.  All you need is some kind of ball and markers to show a goal and you are able to hold a soccer match.  This availability of the game made it especially popular in South America.  Throughout South America’s history, soccer has been extremely important.  In the 19th century, sailors spent their time in port playing pick up games which eventually expanded into the formation of many club teams.  Next year, for the first time since 1978, the World Cup will return to South America.  The event will be held in Brazil which is very significant because Brazil is thought to be the second South American country where soccer was established.  Also, Brazil is the favorite to win the World Cup and having the games take place in their home country will certainly offer a significant advantage.

Brazil futból team 1978

Brazil futból team 2013-201

La Copa del Mundo

V I R O W V A W O D O G O C L

G P E P T D P Q P D X Ñ L E O

B O W S A A G K C L A C L G B

S B L T A Y N T I S J U I D T

T L A E R T D O E V I Y U C U

A P M X A B O V E D I U Q A F

G E S V A D A L E P S X N B B

F A L T A R O F E B M H A E C

S O W P T T E R A P B A B Z O

O X W B P N G M M P P O C A C

Q H L U S S V Y I N P D K Z N

X N O A D A N T H U Y N C O G

D E L A N T E R O D I T R A P

A H C P L B F J U A N A V Y L

H W E A E U A U Y J Z A G Q W

BANQUILLO     FUTBOL

CABEZAZO    CAMPEONATO

DEFENSA      DELANTERO

FALTA        GOLEADOR

PATADA       PARTIDO

PELOTA      TRAVESAÑO

The Startup of FIFA

El primer partido de fútbol internacional se jugó en Glasgow en 1872 entre Escocia e Inglaterra, que terminó en un empate 0-0. El primer torneo internacional estuvo en 1884. Como el fútbol creció en popularidad en otras partes del mundo a comienzos del siglo 20, se convirtió en un deporte de exhibición, sin premios en los Juegos Olímpicos de verano de 1900 y 1904. Por último, en 1906, el fútbol se convirtió a un juego internacional.

La organización de la FIFA hizo intentos de organizar un torneo de fútbol internacional entre las naciones fuera del marco olímpico, por ejemplo Suiza, fue reclutado en 1906, pero estos torneos se considera un fracaso a los ojos de los funcionarios.

Todo esto cambió cuando un hombre llamado Sir Thomas Lipton organizó el Sir Thomas Lipton Trofeo, que era un torneo entre clubes (los equipos no nacionales) de diferentes países. Esta competencia se describe a veces como la Primera Copa del Mundo, y algunos equipos fantásticos procedentes de Italia, Alemania y Suiza. En este punto, los equipos del club/profesionales Inglaterra se negaron a participar así Lipton se acercó a equipos amateurs como el condado de Durham y West Auckland. El ganador fue el West Auckland en 1911. En 1914, la FIFA acordó reconocer el Thomas Lipton Trophy Sir como el " World Football Championship for Amateurs ", y asumir la responsabilidad de la gestión del evento. Esto creó la primera competencia de fútbol intercontinental y en los Juegos Olímpicos de Verano de 1920, trece equipos europeos compitieron. Luego, en 1924 la FIFA comenzó su era profesional.

Cultura

Culture is a component that is intricately connected to the study of any language. As such, we have spent time researching cultural events and fads currently taking place in the Spanish-speaking world. In terms of traditions, we take a deeper look at Dia de los Muertos, Day of the Dead, an annual three day long celebration in Mexico. We also consider current trends, like block buster-movies, and other Spanish-related activities and fads.

Music

Darte un Beso - Prince Poyce

Darte un Beso (To Give You a Kiss) is the classic love song. Poyce sings about his undying love to the rhythm of an ukulele which brings an interesting sound to the song.  With such calming and catchy tune this song tops the chart on Hot Latin Songs of 2013.

Propuesta Indecente - Romeo Santos

Prupuesta Indecente (Incident Proposal) offers a good mix between classic Latin American sounds with a more modern context. This song has a well-rounded sound that really brings the song together with Santos husky voice.

Loco – Enrique Iglesias

From Latin America to the United States Enrique Iglesias has caught the ears of many young people. This song highlights a pair of lonely guys, with a couple of bottles at a bar, wanting more. Loco (Crazy) moved away from his usual upbeat and high energy songs. It focuses on a slow and more melancholy tone.

 Cinco De Mayo

Cinco de Mayo is celebrated both in Mexico and in the United States but to various degrees.  In Mexico, the day is dedicated to the Mexican's Army unlikely victory over the French in Puebla.  The French were occupying Mexico during the American Civil War because they thought they could take advantage of America's unstable and divided condition at the time. Napoleon was an outspoken advocate of establishing a new independent empire in Mexico but after the union crushed the confederates, the French were wary of going to war with America and eventually the French withdrew after the Mexicans beat the French in the battle at Puebla. While residents living in the city of Puebla celebrate Cinco De Mayo, the majority of Latinos living in Mexico consider the day to be minor holiday. In the United States, Cinco De Mayo is celebrated and interpreted in a much different way.  Huge festivals containing dance parties and parades are throw in order to celebrate Mexican culture. 

In Mexico the celebration of other lives is usually three days long. There is Halloween on October 31^st which usually looks like similar to Halloween in the America. However the next two days are usually very big in Mexico but not as large in the United States.  November 1^st is usually designated for children.  November 2 is the day of dead. This holiday was created in order to remind people that every life should be celebrated. The founders wanted people to not fear death but just see it as the next step in life. On the second everyone visits the gravesites of their loved ones. These grave sites can be located anywhere the family chooses because they are owned or managed by the locals.  However in the United States most graveyards are closed off so it is harder to celebrate the holiday the traditional way. Therefore most Mexican Americans have alters in their homes where they place food, drinks, and other gifts for the descisted.

Movies

The Snitch Cartel (El cartel de los sapos)

1hr 55min - Rated R - Suspense/Thriller

Director: Carlos Moreno - Cast: Manolo Cardona, Tom Sizemore, Juana Acosta, Kuno Becker,Diego Cadavid

IMDb Summary: The real life story of Andres Lopez Lopez aka "Florecita" during his years involved with the Colombian Cartel aka "Cartel Norte del Valle".

Theatres: Cinema Latino de Aurora

We Are the Nobles (Nosotros los Nobles)

1hr 40min - Rated PG-13 - Comedy

Director: Gaz Alazraki - Cast: Gonzalo Vega, Karla Souza, Luis Gerardo Méndez, Juan Pablo Gil,Ianis Guerrero

IMDb Summary: When successful construction mogul Herman Noble accidentally stumbles onto his children's credit card statements, he discovers they are spending money beyond control. His oldest son Javier neglects the family business in exchange of his own ridiculous business ideas. His daughter, Barbara gets engaged to a 40 year-old gigolo just to spike her father, Herman, and his youngest son Charlie was expelled from college after having sex with the teacher. Herman realizes his children are spoiled beyond redemption and decides to teach them a lesson, before it's too late.

Theatres: Cinema Latino de Aurora, AMC Cherry Creek 8.

Instructions Not Included (No se Aceptan Devoluciones)

1hr 55min - Rated PG-13 - Comedy/Drama

Director: Eugenio Derbez - Cast: Eugenio Derbez, Jessica Lindsey, Loreto Peralta, Daniel Raymont, Alessandra Rosaldo

IMDb Summary: Valentin is Acapulco's resident playboy - until a former fling leaves a baby on his doorstep and takes off without a trace. Valentin leaves Mexico for Los Angeles to find the baby's mother, but only ends up finding a new home for himself and his newfound daughter, Maggie. An unlikely father figure, Valentin raises Maggie for six years, while also establishing himself as one of Hollywood's top stuntmen to pay the bills, with Maggie acting as his on-set coach. As Valentin raises Maggie, she forces him to grow up too. But their unique and offbeat family is threatened when Maggie's birth mom shows up out of the blue, and Valentin realizes he's in danger of losing his daughter- and his best friend.

Theatres: Cinema Latino de Aurora

 Pulling Strings

1hr 52min - Rated PG - Drama

Director: Pitipol Ybarra - Cast: Jaime Camil, Omar Chaparro, Laura Ramsey

IMDb Summary: Rachel is an intelligent modern day woman constantly on the move. Primarily focused on her career as a diplomatic consul for the U.S. embassy, she's literally lived her life on the move, globetrotting from city to city. Currently working in Mexico City and set to leave for London, Rachel's world turns upside down on the eve of her own goodbye party when she gets drunk and passes out on the street. Saved by Alejandro, a handsome Mariachi singer and single father, Rachel wakes up in his apartment with no recollection of how she got there. Nor does she remember that she rejected his visa the day before, which he desperately needs for his daughter. Romance unexpectedly blossoms between the two, but either sparks or fists will fly after she finds out his secret.

Theatres: Cinema Latino de Aurora, Harkins Northfield 18, AMC Westminster Promenade 24 

Económica

Spain Coming Out of a Recession

Last week Spain officially came out of a two year recession. Over this past quarter, the economy has grown by .1%, and though many fear a sharp decline, this is a definite sign of progress considering that the past nine quarters have resulted in a decline. Though the recession is officially over, it will take years for Spain to recover as the unemployment rate is around 26% and is not expected to decrease until next year at the earliest. Fiona Govan, a correspondent for the Daily Telegraph in Madrid, has stated that "Spain's borrowing costs have fallen sharply," which indicates that positive economic progress is being made throughout the country.

Bienvenidos y bienvenidas!

           Welcome to the new and improved Spanish Newsletter. We're celebrating the richness and complexity of the spanglophone (Spanish-speaking) world, highlighting trending stories in culture, sports, the economy, and even cute animals!